London tourist attraction bans the use of DSLRs

Digital cameras have come a long way in recent years including the devices that our smartphones now contain. More consumers have also been upgrading to digital SLR cameras as they become more affordable and cheaper to purchase. They have also become more advanced and have led a top London tourist attraction to ban the use of DSLRs.

According to an article over at Tech Crunch via Amateur Photographer, a sign has been put up outside an unused London Tube station banning the use of the cameras. Aldwych station that was originally called Strand closed back in 1994, but has recently began offering tourists tours for £20.

The sign that can be seen via the link says “Due to their combination of high-quality sensor and high resolution, digital SLR cameras are unfortunately not permitted inside the station”. Now it can be expected to see limitations in certain places, with flash photography not being allowed to be used on the Mona Lisa.

Aldwych station has been preserved and is south of Holborn in London and is now being used as a historical landmark. But it seems strange there is a ban on this type of equipment as many modern smartphones and compact cameras will give older DSLRs a run for their money with regards to image quality.

Modern top end compacts are also closing the gap on lower spec DSLRs as well such as the Fuji X 100. You can understand places such as music venues banning DSLRs to prevent individuals without a license earning money from images taken. But as the station is private propriety you have to abide by the rules that are set out.

Do you think the banning of DSLRs is too much for an old tube station?